Snetterton Race Report
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14th April 2006
71 Stock Hatches made the journey to Snetterton. In qualifying, Hilary Howlett set the pace with 1:28.79. I put the wrong tyres on the car and qualified back in 36th with a 1:32.23
The first heat was won by Chris Cody, from Simon Hunt and Maurice Hayden. I was 17th on the grid for the second heat with Paul Sheehan and Derek Rozier ahead. Howlett was on pole, with Gareth Wright alongside.
Race start and Chris Petto loses the back end through Riches Corner. I avoid the following accident and follow Sheehan for the remainder of 10 laps to finish 13th. Wright wins, from Pete Morgan and Howlett. The result puts me 25th on the grid for the final, behind Sheehan and Pat Grove
Race start and again Petto is off in Riches Corner, as is Howlett. I pass Darren Wilson out of Coram Curve. Lose a place to Grove down Revett Straight. Cars spin in Russell Bend, Tony Taylor facing backwards as we exit. I get back past Grove into Riches, then past a very smokey XR2. Red flags are out, but sufficient distance remains to merit reassembling us on the grid as the debris is cleared, I'm behind Nick Carter for the restart. I narrowly avoid Petto and Sheehan, who has lost the back end into Russell Bend. Grove passes down Revett Straight, then we both pass grasstracking Matt Rozier before Bomb Hole. Rozier gets back past down Revett Straight. Carter spins in Russell Bend. Past Grove again, defend against Wilson to hold place and finish 13th. Morgan, Wright and Hayden take the top spots.
15th April 2006
I'm on pole for sole heat, Andrew Thorpe beside.
Race start and Thorpe gets ahead. I chase through The Esses, then on lap 2 Thorpe defends heavily into Sear, enabling me to pass down Revett straight. I get some pressure from Paul McMahon in the closing laps, but hold on for the win.
The final race has Howlett and Wilson on the front row, I'm 34th behind Jonathan Howes and Kev Hutton.
Race start, Jeff Humphries takes the scenic route and rejoins, a jam in Russell Bend. Lap 2 and I get 5th gear when I'm trying to find 3rd at Sear and lose places. I retake Taylor into Riches Corner. Terry Roughton spins in Russell Bend, and I cross the line following Robbie Boon for 25th place. Race is won by Hilary Howlett from Pete Morgan and Martin Boon.
The following Wednesday, I find I have been disqualified for overtaking under yellow flag, having missed my chance to appeal as I couldn't hear the tannoy in the outer paddock.